Do you know about the Codex Alimentarius?

Q: I was at a program at the Uptown Theater featuring Brian Clements of the Hippocrates Institute last month and the Codex Alimentarius was mentioned with great emphasis. I’m clueless. What am I supposed to be worried about?

A: You have some homework to do. You also have some emails to send to those that represent you in Washington. Get started with www.healthfreedomusa.org

You will find all the basics of the history of Codex and well written emails you can send directly to your state reps and congress people.

Q: So, what’s the big issue? Why should I be worried?

A: Codex was created in 1962 by the UN as a trade commission to control international trade of foods. Initial intent was good; eventually the pharmaceutical, biotech, pesticide and chemical industries corporate interests took over.

A: What did they do to make this so scary?

Q: Codex is backed by the World Trade Organization. Any country not compliant would lose to a compliant country with a huge economic punishment.

Q: That sounds like a good thing. What’s the problem?

A: Example: the USA has banned the use of 9 toxic pesticides and herbicides which Monsanto is selling to other countries. These countries have signed the World Trade Agreement. They use these toxins on their produce and we MUST allow fair trade. We are buying toxic produce and selling it in our markets. If we don’t, there will be huge sanctions taken against our country.

Q: I get the feeling there is more than just the imports involved in this.

A: Absolutely. Some of the rules of Codex are not sound science. The chairman, Dr. Rolf Grossklaus of Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses believes that nutrition has no role in health. Hmm?! He has declared nutrients to be toxins in 1994 and used toxicology (Risk Assessment) studies to prevent nutrients from having impact on human who take supplements. He also owns the company that does the Risk Assessments for Codex. Conflict of interest?

Q: I’m confused. Risk Assessment is about toxicology. I thought Biochemistry is the study of nutrients and life processes.

A: You are spot on! Codex will allow “junk” science to severely restrict our rights to nutritional supplements if it passes. Supplements of any therapeutic value will become illegal (toxins).

Q: How can this Codex plan be controlling the USA?

A: It’s based on the Napoleonic code rather than common law. This means that, anything not explicitly permitted in forbidden. This plan can ban our supplements by default. (toxins)

Q: When is the deadline to stop this process?

A: December 31, 2009. Action needs to be taken now.

Q: What do you suggest I do for immediate effectiveness?

A: Check www.healthfreedomusa.org. Be a “mouse warrior” Send emails to all your friends to get them mobilized, send emails to your people in Washington and get people together to talk about this. Do something to protect yourself. Educate your representatives, your friends and your community. Please be pro-active.

Starting New Baby with the Best Care Products

Q & A with Gwyneth Jones, HHP

Q: I’m due to deliver my first child the end of January. Will you suggest the best non-toxic shampoos, lotions and hygiene care for me to start with?

A: My guess is you are already attending to your safety and therefore your child’s with the choices you make for your personal hygiene and the products you live with in your home and working environment.

Q: Yes, we are making good choices at home. It’s difficult to control the work space.

A: Continue with your personal decision and do the best to protect yourself in your other life environments. Maybe you can include an air purifier in your personal work space and always have lots of good water to stay well hydrated. Eat the most organic whole foods possible, get plenty of rest and exercise a bit every day.

Q: Thanks for the reminders. What about getting ready for the baby? The baby will require gentler products than I use, I think.

A: The “I think” is the key. You both need gentle products.

Q: What do I look for?

A: Read labels and ALWAYS avoid:

2-Bromo-2 Nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol), BHA ,DMDM Hydantoin, Oxybenzone, Paraben, Fragrance(Phthalates), are a few to watch for.

Q: It seems there is a lot of toxic stuff to watch out for. Can you suggest products to buy?

A: There are many more to be concerned with. Regarding specific products, you need to make your decisions. I will steer you to a very reputable research group where you can compare and contrast the data regarding specific products and their ingredients. You will also find detailed information about the chemicals and the problems they present.

www.EWG.org

Q: It seems you are suggesting I do more than buy good products for my child. What more can I do?

A: Your entire family needs to consider the most healthful environment for all of you. If you are going to paint the baby’s room buy environmentally friendly paint that has little out-gassing. What you breathe now, your baby gets a system full. Consider the furniture and carpets in your home. Your child will be in full contact with these textures, fibers, cleaning products and bacteria.

Q: What do I do about all that?

A: Thoroughly clean the floor surfaces. Shoes Off At the Door. ALWAYS.

Q: What is that all about? Most people don’t want to take their shoes off.

A: Think about this. What have they been stepping in and bringing traces of that in on the soles of their feet?

Q: Ouch! I understand.

A: Set an example. Create the change you want by living that viewpoint.

Q: Do you have any other thoughts on how I can best prepare for my newborn?

A: Eat well (organic, lots of fruits and vegetables), be well rested, enjoy the people you include in your life, listen to music that makes you feel like dancing, singing…joyful. The molecules of your emotions (book by Candice Pert) will bathe your child in what you are living now and once your child arrives.

Q: Thank you for more than I expected.

A: I expect you are expecting a blessing. You will do well. You are looking for and very willing to do the very best you can for all of you. Stay in touch.

Image courtesy of Jeremy Hall.

On The Breath

“Breathing is sooo important! When I’m driving my kids to school, we practice our breathing – deep belly breathing to calm, alternating nostril breathing to balance, or diaphragmatic breaths for mental clarity.”
- Lee Anne Jester, pilates trainer

“Learning to control the breath is simple and effective. Deep, easy breathing can quickly calm the body's response to stressful situations. Full, complete breath increases oxygen supply to the brain and helps create clear thinking. We all breathe every minute of the day. Why not harness that work to do more
for us?”
- Linda Putthoff, pilates trainer

“Chronic stress is the basis of many physical and emotional difficulties in adulthood. Unhealthy levels of stress create blockages in blood flow and energy, limiting the amazing healing potential of the human body. You can learn to relax while spreading healing energy through your body by simply practicing slow, conscious breathing on a daily basis. Try it now: Slowly and steadily, inhale through your nose so that the breath expands deep into your low belly, like a balloon gently inflating; then, slowly exhale through your nose, making it last as long as the inhale or longer. Repeat several times or for a few minutes. Try sprinkling short “breathing breaks” of several slow breaths throughout your busy day, e.g, upon waking, before eating, before driving, during work breaks, waiting in line, in bed at night, etc. To make it a habit, create a visual reminder, such as writing the word “breathe” on your hand.”
- Becky Holsen, yoga teacher

“Laugh everyday (especially at yourself). Take 15 minutes in the morning and evening to just BE. BREATHE consciously. Be present in everything you do, even if its the laundry or the dishes.”
- Lee Anne Jester, pilates trainer

Image courtesy of LunaDiRimmel.

Craving Some Help with Alcohol Detoxification

Q & A with Gwyneth Jones, HHP

Q: Our daughter came home from college for the Christmas holidays with a serious drinking problem. We, as a family, decided she should stay home until she could get her health and life in order. She has not had any alcohol since mid-December; however, she craves sweets, coffee and is smoking too much. What can be done to help her?

A: Hooray for your family making your daughter’s health your priority with the precious support you offer. Craving sweets and junk food is normal in the attempt to replace all the non-nutrient calories from the alcohol. She probably feels fatigued from depleted vitamins and minerals. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands giving a false sense of energy. Even one cigarette is too much. A nutritional approach will be great support to speed her physical recovery.

Q: What specifically should we serve?

A: There are several books available addressing the nutritional support your daughter needs. My favorite is “Seven Weeks to Sobriety”. It has tests she can take to determine the food and supplements she will best respond to. The program is used very effectively in a rehabilitation center in Minnesota. The explanations of what to take and why, are user friendly. There are contact numbers in the back of the book if you need assistance. Until you get started on a program, start with water or diluted fruit juices, include fresh produce, lean poultry and fish; eliminate coffee, junk food, dairy and peanut butter. She will do well to take a multi-vitamin/ mineral supplement.

Q: She gets depressed and lonely and doesn’t want to leave the house.

A: If she has not gone to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and committed to working with a sponsor, she is missing a very supportive, understanding, program that is very effective. You will find Al-Anon will be a huge resource for you too. Find a meeting for both of you, same time and same building. Go for a walk together afterwards. Exercise will become an excellent mood elevator and it will replace healthy bio-chemicals in her body.

Q: She complains about body aches. What would be the best pain relief?

A: Massage can be a lovely way to clear the body of toxins and promotes relaxation. She may try acupuncture to speed the recovery time as she detoxifies. Yoga or a meditation practice can be a helpful new activity to ease her body and mind as she embraces healthy new lifestyle. She needs to be participating in a healthy new activity during the time frame when she used to drink the most.

Q: Are there any supplements we should get started with?

A: Do a little research yourself. Check the studies on Kudzu extract.- Alcoholic hamsters were found to have decreased interest in drinking when fed kudzu extract. Generally recommend 3 to 5 grams of root three times per day; some herbal practitioners also suggest that 3 to 4 ml of tincture taken three times per day may also be helpful to reduce alcohol cravings. Also read up on Glutamine to reduce cravings.

www.ghchealth.com/nutritional.programs-for alcohol-detoxification.html -Elson Haas M.D.

www.mothernature.com